September 27, 2026

Gor said he looked forward to see American firth-generation fighters planes flying alongside the Indian jets (Photo: AP). Six American F-35 fighter jets, along with more than 200 US airmen touched down in Jodhpur on Saturday to take part in the second edition of multinational air exercise, Tarang Shakti.US Ambassador Sergio Gor announced their arrival in his post on X, informing first ever American participation in the exercise.Gor said he looked forward to see American firth-generation fighters planes flying alongside the Indian jets.The second edition of Tarang Shakti got underway at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan on Saturday, with more than 40 countries taking part in the drills.In a post on X, the Indian Air Force extended a welcome to the participating contingents, saying, “A warm welcome to our friends from across the skies as they touch down at Jodhpur. Welcome to India. Welcome to Tarang Shakti.”Announcing the 2026 edition, the Indian Air Force said, “Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 returns as India’s premier multinational air exercise, bringing global Air Forces together for high-octane joint tactical manoeuvres. Stay tuned as elite aviators take to the skies!”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesEarlier, Gor and lieutenant general Vikrant Suresh Deshpande, general officer commanding, 10 Corps, observed a joint firing demonstration by Indian and US Army personnel at the Mahajan Field Firing Range as part of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, showcasing the depth and complexity of bilateral training between the two forces.The demonstration showcased the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, M777 ultra-light howitzer and Dhanush artillery system, alongside AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, L70 air-defence guns and Swathi weapon-locating radars.For its part, the US Army deployed HIMARS and M-LIDS systems, bringing together a wide range of artillery, aviation, air-defence and surveillance capabilities in a challenging field setting.The first edition of Tarang Shakti was held in 2024, with defence minister Rajnath Singh describing it at the time as a step towards deepening cooperation, coordination and trust among partner nations.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPranjal PandeyPranjal Pandey is a journalist with the editorial desk of The Times of India (Online). He looks at the implications of global events for India, with a particular interest in geopolitics and defence. You can sometimes find him looking at the world map, wondering what’s new.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Thappad Maar Diya’: Delhi Deputy CM Parvesh Verma Slaps Man During Road Inspection; AAP Hits Out‘No UPI Day’ On Gandhi Jayanti: Mobile Retailers Announce Oct 2 Protest Over 0.4% MDRViolence Erupts at Punjab’s LPU As Students Protest Over Alleged Rape Case, Police File FIR‘Tried To Drag Me Out Of My Car’: TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh Alleges Second Attack In 24 Hours, Accuses BJP‘Go, Protest In Kerala’: Bengal CM Suvendu Attacks Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi Over SIR-EC Row‘Tried To Normalise Terrorism’: Jaishankar Hits Back At Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif In UNGA SpeechAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, HIMARS, Apache: India, US Showcase Firepower At Yudh Abhyas 2026 | Watch123Hot PicksAsian Games India ScheduleBank strikeCJP ProtestIndian Medallists EarningOctober 2026 School HolidaysFortnite X Five Nights Release DateParvesh Verma Slapping RowGoogle’s birthdayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingChess OlympiadRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
Gor said he looked forward to see American firth-generation fighters planes flying alongside the Indian jets (Photo: AP). Six American F-35 fighter jets, along with more than 200 US airmen touched down in Jodhpur on Saturday to take part in the second edition of multinational air exercise, Tarang Shakti.US Ambassador Sergio Gor announced their arrival in his post on X, informing first ever American participation in the exercise.Gor said he looked forward to see American firth-generation fighters planes flying alongside the Indian jets.The second edition of Tarang Shakti got underway at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan on Saturday, with more than 40 countries taking part in the drills.In a post on X, the Indian Air Force extended a welcome to the participating contingents, saying, “A warm welcome to our friends from across the skies as they touch down at Jodhpur. Welcome to India. Welcome to Tarang Shakti.”Announcing the 2026 edition, the Indian Air Force said, “Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 returns as India’s premier multinational air exercise, bringing global Air Forces together for high-octane joint tactical manoeuvres. Stay tuned as elite aviators take to the skies!”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesEarlier, Gor and lieutenant general Vikrant Suresh Deshpande, general officer commanding, 10 Corps, observed a joint firing demonstration by Indian and US Army personnel at the Mahajan Field Firing Range as part of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, showcasing the depth and complexity of bilateral training between the two forces.The demonstration showcased the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, M777 ultra-light howitzer and Dhanush artillery system, alongside AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, L70 air-defence guns and Swathi weapon-locating radars.For its part, the US Army deployed HIMARS and M-LIDS systems, bringing together a wide range of artillery, aviation, air-defence and surveillance capabilities in a challenging field setting.The first edition of Tarang Shakti was held in 2024, with defence minister Rajnath Singh describing it at the time as a step towards deepening cooperation, coordination and trust among partner nations.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPranjal PandeyPranjal Pandey is a journalist with the editorial desk of The Times of India (Online). He looks at the implications of global events for India, with a particular interest in geopolitics and defence. You can sometimes find him looking at the world map, wondering what’s new.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Thappad Maar Diya’: Delhi Deputy CM Parvesh Verma Slaps Man During Road Inspection; AAP Hits Out‘No UPI Day’ On Gandhi Jayanti: Mobile Retailers Announce Oct 2 Protest Over 0.4% MDRViolence Erupts at Punjab’s LPU As Students Protest Over Alleged Rape Case, Police File FIR‘Tried To Drag Me Out Of My Car’: TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh Alleges Second Attack In 24 Hours, Accuses BJP‘Go, Protest In Kerala’: Bengal CM Suvendu Attacks Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi Over SIR-EC Row‘Tried To Normalise Terrorism’: Jaishankar Hits Back At Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif In UNGA SpeechAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, HIMARS, Apache: India, US Showcase Firepower At Yudh Abhyas 2026 | Watch123Hot PicksAsian Games India ScheduleBank strikeCJP ProtestIndian Medallists EarningOctober 2026 School HolidaysFortnite X Five Nights Release DateParvesh Verma Slapping RowGoogle’s birthdayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingChess OlympiadRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court


F-35 fighter jets, 200+ airmen arrive as US participates in India's Tarang Shakti air exercise
Gor said he looked forward to see American firth-generation fighters planes flying alongside the Indian jets (Photo: AP).

Six American F-35 fighter jets, along with more than 200 US airmen touched down in Jodhpur on Saturday to take part in the second edition of multinational air exercise, Tarang Shakti.US Ambassador Sergio Gor announced their arrival in his post on X, informing first ever American participation in the exercise.Gor said he looked forward to see American firth-generation fighters planes flying alongside the Indian jets.The second edition of Tarang Shakti got underway at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan on Saturday, with more than 40 countries taking part in the drills.In a post on X, the Indian Air Force extended a welcome to the participating contingents, saying, “A warm welcome to our friends from across the skies as they touch down at Jodhpur. Welcome to India. Welcome to Tarang Shakti.”Announcing the 2026 edition, the Indian Air Force said, “Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 returns as India’s premier multinational air exercise, bringing global Air Forces together for high-octane joint tactical manoeuvres. Stay tuned as elite aviators take to the skies!”

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(Representative Image): IndiGo spokesperson said 6E 6542 “experienced an ‘abnormal runway contact’ while landing during gusty weather at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. All customers and crew are safe and have disembarked safely. NEW DELHI: In yet another instance of an IndiGo Airbus A321 tail strike, an aircraft (VT-NHP) operating a Guwahati-Bengaluru flight on Sunday suffered the same while going around at its destination. The flight (6E 6542) aborted landing on the first approach at the destination. During ascent, it suffered a tail strike. The aircraft landed safely on the second attempt. The DGCA is probing this latest tail strike.IndiGo spokesperson said 6E 6542 “experienced an ‘abnormal runway contact’ while landing during gusty weather at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. All customers and crew are safe and have disembarked safely. In line with standard operating procedures, all relevant authorities were informed, and the aircraft is undergoing maintenance checks. It will resume operations after securing necessary clearances. As always, the safety of our customers and crew is our top priority.”The DGCA has raised this issue with IndiGo, and the airline has told it that the focus on pilot training for this particular area has been enhanced. About a year back, they used to happen mostly during landings. Now they are seen more during go-arounds. Airbus itself says, “There is also a higher risk of tail strike when a go-around is required near the ground.”UK’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau says the “rate of tail strike incidents per aircraft landing for the A321 is four times greater than that for the A320, probably as a result of the smaller margin from the normal flare attitude. Damage to the structural integrity of the fuselage should not pose a significant flight risk to the aircraft provided the tail strike is detected during or after landing.”An Airbus publication on safety says: “Performing a go-around near the ground is a very dynamic phase with a risk of tail strike. If a go-around is initiated, the (required) manoeuvre must be completed. Between Jan 2022 and Sept 2024, 49 tail strike events were reported to Airbus, with five (10%) during takeoff, 23 (47%) during landing and 21 (43%) during a go-around near the ground.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesTail strikes are a global phenomenon. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Safety Report, tail strikes were the most frequent type of incident in 2024 and in 2025, although fatality risk remains low. IATA data shows tail strikes were the most frequent non-fatal incidents globally at nine, followed by landing gear issues at seven and runway excursion at six.“The ATR 72 and Boeing 737NG (-800/-900ER) were most frequently involved, accounting for 46% of events. Most tail strikes occurred during landing (69% when including rejected landings). Asia Pacific recorded the highest number of events, with the US, India, and Brazil among the most affected countries,” says the IATA Annual Safety Report – 2025.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Thappad Maar Diya’: Delhi Deputy CM Parvesh Verma Slaps Man During Road Inspection; AAP Hits Out‘No UPI Day’ On Gandhi Jayanti: Mobile Retailers Announce Oct 2 Protest Over 0.4% MDRViolence Erupts at Punjab’s LPU As Students Protest Over Alleged Rape Case, Police File FIR‘Tried To Drag Me Out Of My Car’: TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh Alleges Second Attack In 24 Hours, Accuses BJP‘Go, Protest In Kerala’: Bengal CM Suvendu Attacks Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi Over SIR-EC Row‘Tried To Normalise Terrorism’: Jaishankar Hits Back At Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif In UNGA SpeechAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, HIMARS, Apache: India, US Showcase Firepower At Yudh Abhyas 2026 | Watch123Hot PicksAsian Games India ScheduleBank strikeCJP ProtestIndian Medallists EarningOctober 2026 School HolidaysNaman DhirPunjab school holidayGoogle’s birthdayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingChess OlympiadRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

(Representative Image): IndiGo spokesperson said 6E 6542 “experienced an ‘abnormal runway contact’ while landing during gusty weather at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. All customers and crew are safe and have disembarked safely. NEW DELHI: In yet another instance of an IndiGo Airbus A321 tail strike, an aircraft (VT-NHP) operating a Guwahati-Bengaluru flight on Sunday suffered the same while going around at its destination. The flight (6E 6542) aborted landing on the first approach at the destination. During ascent, it suffered a tail strike. The aircraft landed safely on the second attempt. The DGCA is probing this latest tail strike.IndiGo spokesperson said 6E 6542 “experienced an ‘abnormal runway contact’ while landing during gusty weather at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. All customers and crew are safe and have disembarked safely. In line with standard operating procedures, all relevant authorities were informed, and the aircraft is undergoing maintenance checks. It will resume operations after securing necessary clearances. As always, the safety of our customers and crew is our top priority.”The DGCA has raised this issue with IndiGo, and the airline has told it that the focus on pilot training for this particular area has been enhanced. About a year back, they used to happen mostly during landings. Now they are seen more during go-arounds. Airbus itself says, “There is also a higher risk of tail strike when a go-around is required near the ground.”UK’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau says the “rate of tail strike incidents per aircraft landing for the A321 is four times greater than that for the A320, probably as a result of the smaller margin from the normal flare attitude. Damage to the structural integrity of the fuselage should not pose a significant flight risk to the aircraft provided the tail strike is detected during or after landing.”An Airbus publication on safety says: “Performing a go-around near the ground is a very dynamic phase with a risk of tail strike. If a go-around is initiated, the (required) manoeuvre must be completed. Between Jan 2022 and Sept 2024, 49 tail strike events were reported to Airbus, with five (10%) during takeoff, 23 (47%) during landing and 21 (43%) during a go-around near the ground.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesTail strikes are a global phenomenon. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Safety Report, tail strikes were the most frequent type of incident in 2024 and in 2025, although fatality risk remains low. IATA data shows tail strikes were the most frequent non-fatal incidents globally at nine, followed by landing gear issues at seven and runway excursion at six.“The ATR 72 and Boeing 737NG (-800/-900ER) were most frequently involved, accounting for 46% of events. Most tail strikes occurred during landing (69% when including rejected landings). Asia Pacific recorded the highest number of events, with the US, India, and Brazil among the most affected countries,” says the IATA Annual Safety Report – 2025.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Thappad Maar Diya’: Delhi Deputy CM Parvesh Verma Slaps Man During Road Inspection; AAP Hits Out‘No UPI Day’ On Gandhi Jayanti: Mobile Retailers Announce Oct 2 Protest Over 0.4% MDRViolence Erupts at Punjab’s LPU As Students Protest Over Alleged Rape Case, Police File FIR‘Tried To Drag Me Out Of My Car’: TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh Alleges Second Attack In 24 Hours, Accuses BJP‘Go, Protest In Kerala’: Bengal CM Suvendu Attacks Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi Over SIR-EC Row‘Tried To Normalise Terrorism’: Jaishankar Hits Back At Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif In UNGA SpeechAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, HIMARS, Apache: India, US Showcase Firepower At Yudh Abhyas 2026 | Watch123Hot PicksAsian Games India ScheduleBank strikeCJP ProtestIndian Medallists EarningOctober 2026 School HolidaysNaman DhirPunjab school holidayGoogle’s birthdayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingChess OlympiadRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

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Concerns have been raised over critical-care medicines, oncology medicine, high-value injectables, implants and surgical supplies, besides diagnostic-linked consumables and disposable devices. BENGALURU: Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration commissioner K Srinivas has sought urgent regulatory intervention over the pricing of medicines, medical devices and consumables supplied to hospitals at discounted institutional prices but billed to in-patients at the printed maximum retail price (MRP) or close to it.In some cases the difference between the landing cost and MRP is as high as 52 times. In a letter to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Srinivas has flagged critical-care medicines, oncology medicine, high-value injectables, implants and surgical supplies, besides diagnostic-linked consumables and disposable devices. The letter says the practice “may be especially harmful” in these categories.Tens of examples have been enclosed with the letter, showing substantial differences between the reported landing cost and MRP of several products.Some with massive margins are: Gufipol, manufactured by Criticare, has a landing cost of Rs 86 and an MRP of Rs 4,528, a difference of 5,165.1%, or 52.6 times the landing cost. Guficycline-50 injection, manufactured by GUFI, has a landing cost of Rs 160 and an MRP of Rs 7,110, a 4,343.7% difference or 44.4 times the landing cost. Terlitis has a landing cost of Rs 118 against an MRP of Rs 4,416, a 3,642.4% difference or 37.4 times.Among the cancer drugs listed, Taxocare 120 mg from Intas has a landing cost of Rs 1,000 and an MRP of Rs 21,617.6, a 2,061.8% difference or 21.6 times. Romy 250 mcg injection, also from Intas, has a landing cost of Rs 1,650 and an MRP of Rs 4,109, a 149% difference or 2.5 times.The commissioner said a recurring pattern had been reported in hospital procurement and billing: a manufacturer or importer supplies an item to a hospital at a very low institutional price, while the pack carries a substantially higher retail MRP. The hospital then supplies it to an in-patient and charges the MRP or a nominal discount on it despite the lower acquisition price.“The patient, who is generally unable to obtain an immediate substitute during admission, bears the entire benefit of the manufacturer-hospital discount being retained within the supply chain,” the letter says.Srinivas described the issue as an “information-asymmetry and captive-patient problem”, saying patients generally do not know the institutional acquisition cost and do not have an effective choice at the point of use.The letter argues that MRP-only regulation is insufficient. “MRP operates as a ceiling on retail sale to a consumer, but it does not by itself ensure that the MRP is a fair patient-facing price in an institutional setting,” it says.It proposes mandatory disclosure of institutional transaction prices, a patient-facing price ceiling linked to acquisition cost, anti-evasion provisions, MRP rationalisation and an enforceable reporting and penalty framework.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesUnder the proposed system, the patient-facing price would be the lowest of the applicable statutory ceiling or notified retail price, the printed MRP, and the net institutional acquisition cost plus a prescribed maximum service margin and applicable taxes.The letter also proposes disclosure on hospital bills of the product details, MRP, net institutional acquisition cost, permitted service margin, taxes and final amount charged. It seeks quarterly electronic reporting, risk-based audits, a grievance channel and refunds with interest where overcharging is established.Srinivas has also sought an expert working group and amendments to the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, and asked that the matter be treated as “urgent” with a reasoned action taken report communicated.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorChethan KumarChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Thappad Maar Diya’: Delhi Deputy CM Parvesh Verma Slaps Man During Road Inspection; AAP Hits Out‘No UPI Day’ On Gandhi Jayanti: Mobile Retailers Announce Oct 2 Protest Over 0.4% MDRViolence Erupts at Punjab’s LPU As Students Protest Over Alleged Rape Case, Police File FIR‘Tried To Drag Me Out Of My Car’: TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh Alleges Second Attack In 24 Hours, Accuses BJP‘Go, Protest In Kerala’: Bengal CM Suvendu Attacks Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi Over SIR-EC Row‘Tried To Normalise Terrorism’: Jaishankar Hits Back At Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif In UNGA SpeechAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, HIMARS, Apache: India, US Showcase Firepower At Yudh Abhyas 2026 | Watch123Hot PicksAsian Games India ScheduleBank strikeCJP ProtestIndian Medallists EarningOctober 2026 School HolidaysNaman DhirPunjab school holidayGoogle’s birthdayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingChess OlympiadRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

Concerns have been raised over critical-care medicines, oncology medicine, high-value injectables, implants and surgical supplies, besides diagnostic-linked consumables and disposable devices. BENGALURU: Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration commissioner K Srinivas has sought urgent regulatory intervention over the pricing of medicines, medical devices and consumables supplied to hospitals at discounted institutional prices but billed to in-patients at the printed maximum retail price (MRP) or close to it.In some cases the difference between the landing cost and MRP is as high as 52 times. In a letter to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Srinivas has flagged critical-care medicines, oncology medicine, high-value injectables, implants and surgical supplies, besides diagnostic-linked consumables and disposable devices. The letter says the practice “may be especially harmful” in these categories.Tens of examples have been enclosed with the letter, showing substantial differences between the reported landing cost and MRP of several products.Some with massive margins are: Gufipol, manufactured by Criticare, has a landing cost of Rs 86 and an MRP of Rs 4,528, a difference of 5,165.1%, or 52.6 times the landing cost. Guficycline-50 injection, manufactured by GUFI, has a landing cost of Rs 160 and an MRP of Rs 7,110, a 4,343.7% difference or 44.4 times the landing cost. Terlitis has a landing cost of Rs 118 against an MRP of Rs 4,416, a 3,642.4% difference or 37.4 times.Among the cancer drugs listed, Taxocare 120 mg from Intas has a landing cost of Rs 1,000 and an MRP of Rs 21,617.6, a 2,061.8% difference or 21.6 times. Romy 250 mcg injection, also from Intas, has a landing cost of Rs 1,650 and an MRP of Rs 4,109, a 149% difference or 2.5 times.The commissioner said a recurring pattern had been reported in hospital procurement and billing: a manufacturer or importer supplies an item to a hospital at a very low institutional price, while the pack carries a substantially higher retail MRP. The hospital then supplies it to an in-patient and charges the MRP or a nominal discount on it despite the lower acquisition price.“The patient, who is generally unable to obtain an immediate substitute during admission, bears the entire benefit of the manufacturer-hospital discount being retained within the supply chain,” the letter says.Srinivas described the issue as an “information-asymmetry and captive-patient problem”, saying patients generally do not know the institutional acquisition cost and do not have an effective choice at the point of use.The letter argues that MRP-only regulation is insufficient. “MRP operates as a ceiling on retail sale to a consumer, but it does not by itself ensure that the MRP is a fair patient-facing price in an institutional setting,” it says.It proposes mandatory disclosure of institutional transaction prices, a patient-facing price ceiling linked to acquisition cost, anti-evasion provisions, MRP rationalisation and an enforceable reporting and penalty framework.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesUnder the proposed system, the patient-facing price would be the lowest of the applicable statutory ceiling or notified retail price, the printed MRP, and the net institutional acquisition cost plus a prescribed maximum service margin and applicable taxes.The letter also proposes disclosure on hospital bills of the product details, MRP, net institutional acquisition cost, permitted service margin, taxes and final amount charged. It seeks quarterly electronic reporting, risk-based audits, a grievance channel and refunds with interest where overcharging is established.Srinivas has also sought an expert working group and amendments to the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, and asked that the matter be treated as “urgent” with a reasoned action taken report communicated.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorChethan KumarChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Thappad Maar Diya’: Delhi Deputy CM Parvesh Verma Slaps Man During Road Inspection; AAP Hits Out‘No UPI Day’ On Gandhi Jayanti: Mobile Retailers Announce Oct 2 Protest Over 0.4% MDRViolence Erupts at Punjab’s LPU As Students Protest Over Alleged Rape Case, Police File FIR‘Tried To Drag Me Out Of My Car’: TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh Alleges Second Attack In 24 Hours, Accuses BJP‘Go, Protest In Kerala’: Bengal CM Suvendu Attacks Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi Over SIR-EC Row‘Tried To Normalise Terrorism’: Jaishankar Hits Back At Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif In UNGA SpeechAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, HIMARS, Apache: India, US Showcase Firepower At Yudh Abhyas 2026 | Watch123Hot PicksAsian Games India ScheduleBank strikeCJP ProtestIndian Medallists EarningOctober 2026 School HolidaysNaman DhirPunjab school holidayGoogle’s birthdayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingChess OlympiadRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

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The proposed protest comes amid a broader confrontation between the CJP and authorities after the outfit recently alleged that its co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and volunteers were detained by police in Assam. NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Sunday claimed that Mumbai Police had denied permission for its proposed protest on October 2. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced that the outfit would launch a “jail bharo andolan” in Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti if it was not allowed to demonstrate.Dipke said the police decision was another attempt to prevent citizens from raising their voices. He announced the proposed agitation in a post on X.”Such tactics to suppress citizens’ voices are unacceptable. If we are denied the right to protest, CJP will launch a Jail Bharo Andolan in Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti,” Dipke said.The proposed protest comes amid a broader confrontation between the CJP and authorities after the outfit recently alleged that its co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and volunteers were detained by police in Assam.Earlier detention in AssamThe CJP had on Sunday claimed that Ranka and around 40 volunteers were detained in Guwahati without being told the reason for the action.Ranka had travelled to Assam to meet CJP volunteers at the residence of opposition Assam Jatiya Parishad leader Kunki Chowdhury in the Dispur area, near the state secretariat. Dipke alleged that the group was prevented from holding the meeting.”The Assam Police has detained Ashutosh Ranka and a CJP team, and is taking them to an unknown location. Ashu and co were going to have a small volunteers meet up in Assam,” Dipke had said in a social media post.In another post, he said Ranka had been picked up from a private residence and claimed that neither he nor the other volunteers had been told the charges or grounds for the detention.”If Ashu is not released, I will go to Assam along with other CJP members. (CM) Himanta (Biswa Sarma) can arrest us all,” Dipke had said.A video posted on Ranka’s X account showed him sitting in a moving police vehicle. He was heard alleging that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had ordered the action because he was “afraid” of the CJP’s plans to highlight the condition of schools in the state.Talking to reporters while being taken away, Ranka alleged that the action showed the chief minister was “afraid of being exposed”.”He (Sarma) is scared that if we show the schools here, the country will know the reality. He is afraid that people will know how their rights were being snatched in Kaziranga for the benefit of corporates. Also, man-made floods have taken scores of lives.“But, we are not afraid of him. We know that he won the assembly election by redrawing boundaries of constituencies,” Ranka alleged.NCP (SP) backs CJP allegationsNCP (SP) spokesperson Anish Gawande later claimed that Ranka and 41 others had been “illegally and unconstitutionally detained from a private residence when a meet up was scheduled to take place with CJP volunteers”.Gawande alleged that no legal notice had been served on the group and that they had not been informed of the sections imposed against them.”It is nothing short of jungle raj under CM Sarma, who is afraid of any and all kind of dissent,” Gawande said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe said the CJP had planned to raise issues including the condition of schools, evictions in Kaziranga, the arrest of activists and the alleged redrawing of election boundaries.“This is a pattern in Assam, happening here for too long. Pranab Doley gets picked up when he gets bail, and the NSA is invoked against him,” Gawande said, referring to the activist who had led protests in Kaziranga over the rights of indigenous people.”This is another attempt to intimidate civil society and activists in Assam to create a police state,” he asserted.“We demand the immediate release of Ranka and all others, failing which legal action will be taken against the Assam Police and no one less than the chief minister, himself, who has authorised this illegal action,” Gawande added.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVijaya SrivastavaVijaya Srivastava is a journalist and feature writer whose expertise lies in covering human-centred developments. Her stories explore how policy, technology, economic shifts and social change influence people’s everyday lives. Her work also focuses on bringing depth, context and a human perspective to complex issues. Her reports primarily cover society, healthcare, safety, public policy and emerging trends, alongside other political developments.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Thappad Maar Diya’: Delhi Deputy CM Parvesh Verma Slaps Man During Road Inspection; AAP Hits Out‘No UPI Day’ On Gandhi Jayanti: Mobile Retailers Announce Oct 2 Protest Over 0.4% MDRViolence Erupts at Punjab’s LPU As Students Protest Over Alleged Rape Case, Police File FIR‘Tried To Drag Me Out Of My Car’: TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh Alleges Second Attack In 24 Hours, Accuses BJP‘Go, Protest In Kerala’: Bengal CM Suvendu Attacks Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi Over SIR-EC Row‘Tried To Normalise Terrorism’: Jaishankar Hits Back At Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif In UNGA SpeechAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, HIMARS, Apache: India, US Showcase Firepower At Yudh Abhyas 2026 | Watch123Hot PicksAsian Games India ScheduleBank strikeCJP ProtestIndian Medallists EarningOctober 2026 School HolidaysNaman DhirPunjab school holidayGoogle’s birthdayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingChess OlympiadRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

The proposed protest comes amid a broader confrontation between the CJP and authorities after the outfit recently alleged that its co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and volunteers were detained by police in Assam. NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Sunday claimed that Mumbai Police had denied permission for its proposed protest on October 2. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced that the outfit would launch a “jail bharo andolan” in Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti if it was not allowed to demonstrate.Dipke said the police decision was another attempt to prevent citizens from raising their voices. He announced the proposed agitation in a post on X.”Such tactics to suppress citizens’ voices are unacceptable. If we are denied the right to protest, CJP will launch a Jail Bharo Andolan in Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti,” Dipke said.The proposed protest comes amid a broader confrontation between the CJP and authorities after the outfit recently alleged that its co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and volunteers were detained by police in Assam.Earlier detention in AssamThe CJP had on Sunday claimed that Ranka and around 40 volunteers were detained in Guwahati without being told the reason for the action.Ranka had travelled to Assam to meet CJP volunteers at the residence of opposition Assam Jatiya Parishad leader Kunki Chowdhury in the Dispur area, near the state secretariat. Dipke alleged that the group was prevented from holding the meeting.”The Assam Police has detained Ashutosh Ranka and a CJP team, and is taking them to an unknown location. Ashu and co were going to have a small volunteers meet up in Assam,” Dipke had said in a social media post.In another post, he said Ranka had been picked up from a private residence and claimed that neither he nor the other volunteers had been told the charges or grounds for the detention.”If Ashu is not released, I will go to Assam along with other CJP members. (CM) Himanta (Biswa Sarma) can arrest us all,” Dipke had said.A video posted on Ranka’s X account showed him sitting in a moving police vehicle. He was heard alleging that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had ordered the action because he was “afraid” of the CJP’s plans to highlight the condition of schools in the state.Talking to reporters while being taken away, Ranka alleged that the action showed the chief minister was “afraid of being exposed”.”He (Sarma) is scared that if we show the schools here, the country will know the reality. He is afraid that people will know how their rights were being snatched in Kaziranga for the benefit of corporates. Also, man-made floods have taken scores of lives.“But, we are not afraid of him. We know that he won the assembly election by redrawing boundaries of constituencies,” Ranka alleged.NCP (SP) backs CJP allegationsNCP (SP) spokesperson Anish Gawande later claimed that Ranka and 41 others had been “illegally and unconstitutionally detained from a private residence when a meet up was scheduled to take place with CJP volunteers”.Gawande alleged that no legal notice had been served on the group and that they had not been informed of the sections imposed against them.”It is nothing short of jungle raj under CM Sarma, who is afraid of any and all kind of dissent,” Gawande said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe said the CJP had planned to raise issues including the condition of schools, evictions in Kaziranga, the arrest of activists and the alleged redrawing of election boundaries.“This is a pattern in Assam, happening here for too long. Pranab Doley gets picked up when he gets bail, and the NSA is invoked against him,” Gawande said, referring to the activist who had led protests in Kaziranga over the rights of indigenous people.”This is another attempt to intimidate civil society and activists in Assam to create a police state,” he asserted.“We demand the immediate release of Ranka and all others, failing which legal action will be taken against the Assam Police and no one less than the chief minister, himself, who has authorised this illegal action,” Gawande added.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVijaya SrivastavaVijaya Srivastava is a journalist and feature writer whose expertise lies in covering human-centred developments. Her stories explore how policy, technology, economic shifts and social change influence people’s everyday lives. Her work also focuses on bringing depth, context and a human perspective to complex issues. Her reports primarily cover society, healthcare, safety, public policy and emerging trends, alongside other political developments.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Thappad Maar Diya’: Delhi Deputy CM Parvesh Verma Slaps Man During Road Inspection; AAP Hits Out‘No UPI Day’ On Gandhi Jayanti: Mobile Retailers Announce Oct 2 Protest Over 0.4% MDRViolence Erupts at Punjab’s LPU As Students Protest Over Alleged Rape Case, Police File FIR‘Tried To Drag Me Out Of My Car’: TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh Alleges Second Attack In 24 Hours, Accuses BJP‘Go, Protest In Kerala’: Bengal CM Suvendu Attacks Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi Over SIR-EC Row‘Tried To Normalise Terrorism’: Jaishankar Hits Back At Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif In UNGA SpeechAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, HIMARS, Apache: India, US Showcase Firepower At Yudh Abhyas 2026 | Watch123Hot PicksAsian Games India ScheduleBank strikeCJP ProtestIndian Medallists EarningOctober 2026 School HolidaysNaman DhirPunjab school holidayGoogle’s birthdayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingChess OlympiadRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

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